RUSSELL SIMMONS AND THE HIP-HOP SUMMIT ACTION NETWORK IN COLLABORATION WITH THE BRONX HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HOST THE FIRST EVER LATINO HIP-HOP SUMMIT

LATINO YOUTH ENCOURAGED TO REGISTER TO VOTE

TEGO CALDERON, NOREAGA, JENNIFER LOPEZ INVITED TO PARTICIPATE

NEW YORK, N.Y. – July 7, 2004 – In an unprecedented outreach to Latino youth across America, Russell Simmons, Reverend Run of Run DMC, Def Jam President Kevin Liles and the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN), in collaboration with the Bronx Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, will convene the first-ever Latino Hip-Hop Summit, Tuesday, July 13, 2004, 12 p.m., at Lehman College Center for the Performing Arts in the Bronx, NY. Doors open at 11 a.m. La Mega WSKQ 97.9 and Hot 97 FM are the radio sponsors of the Latino Hip-Hop Summit.

Thousands of Latino youth are joining HSAN’s Hip-Hop Team Vote at www.hsan.org in preparation for the Latino Hip-Hop Summit. Russell Simmons, Chairman of HSAN affirmed, “We recognize and salute the important contributions of the Latino community in our society and throughout the world. Hip-hop is an inclusive cultural phenomenon, and the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network is very pleased to convene the first Latino Hip-Hop Summit.”

Frank Garcia, President and CEO of the Bronx Hispanic Chamber of Commerce emphasized, “This is a great opportunity for Latinos to empower themselves through the unifying power of hip-hop and to encourage young Latinos to vote.”

The Latino Hip-Hop Summit will consist of interactive panel discussions between the artists and the attendees. The celebrities will communicate the importance of Latino youth voter registration, health insurance, economic development, Rockefeller Drug Laws and other issues that impact the quality of life of the Latino community. The Summit will also focus on the growing national and international influence of Reggeaton and Latin music.

Tego Calderon stated: “I look forward to being at the Latino Hip-Hop Summit to celebrate our music and culture, as well as to encourage our young people to vote.”

Dr. Benjamin Chavis, President and CEO HSAN concluded: “One of the fastest growing constituencies in our society is the Latino youth vote. The Latino Hip-Hop Summit is a concrete opportunity to forge unity and to inspire generations of youth for the future.”